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Vocab: Transport — B1
Transport vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
das Abgas — exhaust gas, exhaust fumes
Abgas is usually used in the plural when talking about pollution from vehicles or factories. Do not confuse it with Abfall, which means waste or rubbish.
Das Abgas ist gesundheitsschädlich.
The exhaust gas is harmful to health.
gesundheitsschädlich means harmful to health. Das Abgas is the nominative subject, and the adjective follows ist as a predicate adjective without an ending.
Der Motor produziert das Abgas.
The engine produces the exhaust gas.
der Motor means the engine and produziert means produces. Das Abgas is accusative because produzieren takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, nominative and accusative articles are both das.
Wir müssen mit dem Abgas vorsichtig sein.
We have to be careful with the exhaust gas.
müssen means have to and vorsichtig means careful. Mit always takes the dative, so das Abgas becomes dem Abgas; the infinitive sein goes to the end after the modal verb.
Die Farbe des Abgases ist dunkel.
The colour of the exhaust gas is dark.
die Farbe means the colour and dunkel means dark. Des Abgases is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; the neuter noun takes -es.
Die Abgase verschmutzen die Luft.
The exhaust fumes pollute the air.
verschmutzen means pollute and die Luft means the air. Die Abgase is plural and nominative as the subject, while die Luft is accusative because it is the object of verschmutzen.
abschleppen — to tow away; to drag away, to haul away
This verb is most often used for towing a vehicle away. It can also mean dragging or hauling something away, and the thing moved is an accusative object.
Der Abschleppdienst schleppt ab mein Auto.
The towing service is towing my car away.
der Abschleppdienst means the towing service and mein Auto means my car. Mein Auto is accusative because it is the vehicle being towed; the finite verb schleppt is in position two and ab goes to the end.
Die Polizei hat den Wagen abgeschleppt.
The police had the car towed away.
die Polizei means the police and der Wagen means the car. The perfect uses hat plus abgeschleppt at the end; den Wagen is accusative as the object of the towing.
Ein Abschleppwagen schleppte ab den kaputten Bus.
A tow truck towed the broken-down bus away.
ein Abschleppwagen means a tow truck, kaputt means broken, and der Bus means the bus. Den kaputten Bus is accusative; schleppte is in position two and ab is at the end.
Schlepp ab das Auto nicht!
Do not tow the car away!
nicht means not and das Auto means the car. The informal imperative is schlepp, and the prefix ab stays at the end; das Auto is accusative.
Ich würde abschleppen den alten Wagen nicht, wenn er noch fährt.
I would not tow the old car away if it still runs.
alt means old, noch means still, and fährt means is running or drives. Würde marks a hypothetical action, so the full infinitive abschleppen follows würde; den alten Wagen is accusative.
Der Pannendienst wird abschleppen das Motorrad bald.
The breakdown service will tow the motorcycle away soon.
der Pannendienst means the breakdown service, das Motorrad means the motorcycle, and bald means soon. Future tense puts wird in position two and abschleppen at the end; das Motorrad is accusative.
Die Freunde schleppten ab ihn nach der Party.
The friends dragged him away after the party.
die Freunde means the friends, ihn means him, and nach der Party means after the party. Ihn is accusative because he is the person dragged away; schleppten is in position two and ab goes to the end.
Sie haben den schweren Koffer bis zum Zug abgeschleppt.
They hauled the heavy suitcase all the way to the train.
schwer means heavy, der Koffer means suitcase, bis zum Zug means as far as the train, and der Zug means train. Den schweren Koffer is accusative as the thing hauled; the perfect participle abgeschleppt stands at the end.
anfahren — to move off, to start driving; to hit, run over
For the movement sense, the perfect takes sein because the vehicle changes position; the prefix an is separable in main clauses.
Der Bus fährt an, sobald alle eingestiegen sind.
The bus moves off as soon as everyone has got on.
der Bus is the bus, sobald means as soon as, and eingestiegen means got on. fährt is in position two, while the separable prefix an goes to the end of the main clause; eingestiegen sind forms the subordinate clause with the finite verb at the end.
Der Zug ist pünktlich angefahren.
The train moved off on time.
der Zug is the train and pünktlich means on time. This movement sense uses sein in the perfect, and angefahren stands at the end of the clause; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Der Fahrer fuhr langsam an.
The driver moved off slowly.
der Fahrer is the driver and langsam means slowly. In the simple past, fuhr is in position two and the separable prefix an goes to the end; learners often incorrectly use anfährt for this past form.
Fahr an bitte vorsichtig!
Please move off carefully!
bitte means please and vorsichtig means carefully. This is the informal singular imperative; fahr an has no subject pronoun and the separable prefix an follows the verb.
Wenn ich den Parkplatz sehe, würde ich sofort anfahren.
If I saw the parking space, I would drive up immediately.
wenn means if, der Parkplatz is the parking space, sehe means see, and sofort means immediately. In the wenn clause the finite verb sehe goes to the end; in the würde construction, the infinitive anfahren stays at the end of the main clause.
Der Fahrer wird an der nächsten Haltestelle anfahren.
The driver will move off at the next stop.
der Fahrer is the driver, die nächste Haltestelle is the next stop, and wird means will here. an der Haltestelle is dative because an describes a location, and the infinitive anfahren goes to the end after wird.
Der Autofahrer hat fast einen Radfahrer angefahren.
The car driver almost hit a cyclist.
der Autofahrer is the car driver, fast means almost, and der Radfahrer is the cyclist. einen Radfahrer is accusative because this sense takes a direct object, and the perfect uses haben; angefahren goes to the end.
Der Bus fuhr einen Hund an.
The bus hit a dog.
der Bus is the bus and der Hund is the dog. einen Hund is accusative as the object of the action; in the simple past, fuhr is in position two and an goes to the end.
der Anschlusszug — connecting train
Der Anschlusszug is the train you take after changing from another train. It is a compound of der Anschluss and der Zug; its plural is die Anschlusszüge.
Der Anschlusszug nach Leipzig wartet am Gleis drei.
The connecting train to Leipzig is waiting at platform three.
nach Leipzig means to Leipzig, wartet means is waiting, and das Gleis drei means platform three. Der Anschlusszug is nominative because it is the subject, and wartet stands in position two.
Wir suchen den Anschlusszug nach Dresden.
We are looking for the connecting train to Dresden.
suchen means look for, and nach Dresden means to Dresden. Den Anschlusszug is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; do not use der after suchen.
Ich steige in den Anschlusszug um.
I am changing onto the connecting train.
steige ... um means change trains, and in den Zug means onto the train. The direction makes in take the accusative, so den Anschlusszug is accusative; the separable prefix um goes to the end.
Die Abfahrt des Anschlusszuges ist um 18 Uhr.
The departure of the connecting train is at 6 p.m.
die Abfahrt means departure, and um 18 Uhr means at 6 p.m. Des Anschlusszuges is genitive because it identifies whose departure it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Anschlusszüge fahren heute wegen des Streiks später.
The connecting trains are running later today because of the strike.
fahren means run or travel, heute means today, and der Streik means strike. Die Anschlusszüge is plural nominative, while wegen des Streiks uses the genitive after wegen.
die Autoversicherung — car insurance; car insurance company
The compound combines Auto (“car”) and Versicherung (“insurance”). In everyday speech, it can also refer to the insurance company that provides the cover.
Die Autoversicherung ist in Deutschland Pflicht.
Car insurance is compulsory in Germany.
Pflicht means “compulsory” or “required”, and in Deutschland means “in Germany”. Autoversicherung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich bezahle die Autoversicherung jeden Monat.
I pay the car insurance every month.
bezahle means “pay”, and jeden Monat means “every month”. die Autoversicherung is accusative because bezahlen takes a direct object; jeden Monat is a time expression.
Ich vertraue der Autoversicherung nicht.
I do not trust the car insurance company.
vertraue means “trust”, and nicht means “not”. der Autoversicherung is dative because vertrauen requires dative; German often uses the insurance term for the insurance company as well.
Die Kosten der Autoversicherung steigen.
The cost of the car insurance is rising.
Die Kosten means “the costs”, and steigen means “rise”. der Autoversicherung is genitive and identifies which costs; the finite verb steigen stands in position two.
Viele Autoversicherungen bieten einen Schutzbrief an.
Many car insurance companies offer roadside assistance.
Viele means “many”, bieten ... an means “offer”, and Schutzbrief means “roadside-assistance service”. Autoversicherungen is plural; the separable verb has bieten in position two and an at the end.
Unsere Autoversicherung bearbeitet den Schaden schnell.
Our car insurance company processes the damage claim quickly.
Unsere means “our”, bearbeitet means “processes”, and der Schaden means “the damage or claim”. Autoversicherung is nominative as the subject, while den Schaden is accusative because bearbeiten takes a direct object.
Die Autoversicherung schickt einen Gutachter.
The car insurance company sends an assessor.
schickt means “sends”, and einen Gutachter means “an assessor”, a person who evaluates damage. Autoversicherung is the nominative subject; einen Gutachter is accusative as the object of schicken.
die Beförderung — promotion; transport
In the work sense, die Beförderung usually means a promotion; in transport, it means the carrying or transport of people or goods.
Die Beförderung freut mich sehr.
The promotion makes me very happy.
freut mich sehr means makes me very happy. Die Beförderung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb freut stands in position two.
Ich habe die Beförderung bekommen.
I got the promotion.
bekommen means to get or receive. Die Beförderung is accusative because bekommen takes a direct object, while habe bekommen forms the perfect and the participle stands at the end.
Er gratuliert ihr zu der Beförderung.
He congratulates her on the promotion.
gratuliert means congratulates, and zu means on the occasion of. Ihr is dative because gratulieren takes a dative person, and zu also governs the dative, shown here by der Beförderung.
Die Vorteile der Beförderung sind klar.
The advantages of the promotion are clear.
Vorteile means advantages, and klar means clear. Der Beförderung is genitive because it specifies whose advantages they are; the plural subject Vorteile makes the verb sind plural.
Viele Beförderungen hängen von Erfahrung ab.
Many promotions depend on experience.
Viele means many, and Erfahrung means experience. Beförderungen is the plural subject, and hängen ... ab is a separable verb, so ab stands at the end of the main clause.
die Benzinpumpe — fuel pump
This compound means a pump for petrol or gasoline. The first part, Benzin, specifies the kind of Pumpe; the feminine gender comes from Pumpe.
Die Benzinpumpe ist kaputt.
The fuel pump is broken.
kaputt means broken or not working. Die Benzinpumpe is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Mechaniker repariert die Benzinpumpe.
The mechanic is repairing the fuel pump.
der Mechaniker is a mechanic and repariert means repairs. Die Benzinpumpe is accusative because reparieren takes a direct object; the finite verb repariert is in position two.
Der Mechaniker hilft der Benzinpumpe nicht.
The mechanic does not help the fuel pump.
hilft means helps and nicht means not. Der Benzinpumpe is dative because helfen governs the dative; the negative word nicht comes after the object here.
Die Leistung der Benzinpumpe ist zu niedrig.
The fuel pump’s output is too low.
die Leistung means output or performance, and zu niedrig means too low. Der Benzinpumpe is genitive because it identifies whose performance is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
In modernen Autos arbeiten Benzinpumpen elektrisch.
Fuel pumps in modern cars work electrically.
modernen Autos means modern cars, and elektrisch means electrically. Benzinpumpen is a plural subject, so the finite verb arbeiten has the plural ending.
die Besatzung — crew; team on a vehicle; occupation; occupying force
In transport, die Besatzung means the crew of a vehicle. In historical or political contexts, it can also mean an occupying force, so context is important.
Die Besatzung wartet auf die Passagiere.
The crew is waiting for the passengers.
warten auf means to wait for, and die Passagiere are the passengers. Die Besatzung is nominative because it is the subject; auf takes the accusative in this fixed expression, and wartet stands in position two.
Der Kapitän begrüßt die Besatzung.
The captain greets the crew.
der Kapitän is the captain, and begrüßen means to greet. Die Besatzung is accusative because it is the direct object of begrüßt; the subject der Kapitän is nominative and the finite verb is in position two.
Der Kapitän spricht mit der Besatzung.
The captain speaks with the crew.
sprechen means to speak, and mit means with. Der Besatzung is dative because mit always requires the dative; the finite verb spricht stands in position two.
Die Entscheidung der Besatzung war einstimmig.
The crew’s decision was unanimous.
die Entscheidung means the decision, and einstimmig means unanimous. Der Besatzung is genitive because it shows whose decision it was; the subject is die Entscheidung, so war is in position two.
Mehrere Besatzungen wurden gestern kontrolliert.
Several crews were checked yesterday.
mehrere means several, gestern means yesterday, and kontrolliert means checked. Mehrere Besatzungen is plural nominative because it is the subject of the passive; wurden is in position two and the Partizip II kontrolliert goes to the end.
Die Bevölkerung litt unter der Besatzung.
The population suffered under the occupation.
die Bevölkerung means the population, and leiden means to suffer. Unter der Besatzung is dative because unter describes a situation or condition here, not movement; the finite verb litt stands in position two.
Nach dem Krieg endete die Besatzung.
The occupation ended after the war.
nach dem Krieg means after the war, and enden means to end. Nach requires the dative, so dem Krieg is dative; die Besatzung is nominative subject and endete is in position two.
das Düsenflugzeug — jet aircraft, jet plane
This is a compound: Düsen- refers to a jet engine and Flugzeug means aircraft. The final part, das Flugzeug, determines the neuter gender and the plural ending.
Das Düsenflugzeug startet pünktlich.
The jet aircraft takes off on time.
startet means takes off and pünktlich means on time. Das Düsenflugzeug is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb startet stands in position two.
Die Airline kauft ein Düsenflugzeug.
The airline is buying a jet aircraft.
die Airline is the airline and kauft means buys. Ein Düsenflugzeug is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; for a neuter noun, ein looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir fliegen mit einem Düsenflugzeug nach Madrid.
We are flying to Madrid by jet aircraft.
fliegen means fly and nach Madrid means to Madrid. Mit always takes the dative, so einem Düsenflugzeug is dative; mit describes the means of transport here.
Die Geschwindigkeit des Düsenflugzeugs ist beeindruckend.
The speed of the jet aircraft is impressive.
die Geschwindigkeit means speed and beeindruckend means impressive. Des Düsenflugzeugs is genitive because it means “of the jet aircraft”; the neuter article is des and the noun adds -s.
Auf dem Flughafen stehen drei Düsenflugzeuge.
Three jet aircraft are standing at the airport.
auf dem Flughafen means at the airport and stehen means are standing. Düsenflugzeuge is the plural with -e and an umlaut; auf dem Flughafen is dative because it describes a location, not movement.
der Eisenbahnwagen — railway carriage, train car
Eisenbahnwagen is a compound of die Eisenbahn and der Wagen, a carriage or vehicle. Its plural is unchanged: der Eisenbahnwagen, die Eisenbahnwagen.
Der Eisenbahnwagen ist fast leer.
The railway carriage is almost empty.
fast leer means almost empty. Der Eisenbahnwagen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Kontrolleur prüft den Eisenbahnwagen.
The inspector checks the railway carriage.
der Kontrolleur is the inspector, and prüfen means to check or inspect. Den Eisenbahnwagen is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Fahrgäste warten in dem Eisenbahnwagen.
The passengers are waiting in the railway carriage.
die Fahrgäste are the passengers, and warten means to wait. In takes the dative for a fixed location, so dem Eisenbahnwagen is dative; the finite verb warten is in position two.
Die Tür des Eisenbahnwagens ist geschlossen.
The door of the railway carriage is closed.
die Tür is the door, and geschlossen means closed. Des Eisenbahnwagens is genitive because it identifies which door is meant; the noun adds -s in this case.
Die Eisenbahnwagen stehen am Bahnsteig.
The railway carriages are standing at the platform.
stehen means to stand or be located, and der Bahnsteig is the platform. Die Eisenbahnwagen is plural even though its noun ending is unchanged; the plural verb stehen makes this clear.
die Fahrgemeinschaft — carpool, car-sharing group
This word describes regular shared travel, especially to work or school. It is not limited to one journey.
Eine Fahrgemeinschaft spart jeden Morgen Zeit und Geld.
A carpool saves time and money every morning.
jeden Morgen means every morning, and Zeit and Geld mean time and money. Eine Fahrgemeinschaft is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb spart is in position two.
Wir bilden eine Fahrgemeinschaft für den Weg zur Arbeit.
We are forming a carpool for the journey to work.
bilden means to form, and der Weg zur Arbeit means the journey to work. Eine Fahrgemeinschaft is accusative because bilden takes a direct object; zur is short for zu der and introduces a dative destination.
Ich fahre mit einer Fahrgemeinschaft nach Köln.
I travel to Cologne with a carpool.
mit means with, and nach Köln means to Cologne. Einer Fahrgemeinschaft is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb fahre stands in position two.
Die Kosten der Fahrgemeinschaft sind niedrig.
The carpool's costs are low.
die Kosten means the costs, and niedrig means low. Der Fahrgemeinschaft is genitive to show possession, and the verb sind is in position two.
Viele Fahrgemeinschaften treffen sich am Bahnhof.
Many carpool groups meet at the railway station.
viele means many, and sich treffen means to meet; der Bahnhof is the railway station. Fahrgemeinschaften is nominative plural because it is the subject, and am is short for an dem.
die Fluggesellschaft — airline
Fluggesellschaft is a formal, neutral word for an airline. In everyday speech, die Airline is also common.
Die Fluggesellschaft bietet viele Flüge an.
The airline offers many flights.
anbieten means to offer, and viele Flüge means many flights. Die Fluggesellschaft is nominative as the subject; the separable verb is split into bietet ... an in the main clause.
Ich buche die Fluggesellschaft über eine App.
I book the airline through an app.
buchen means to book, and über eine App means through an app. Die Fluggesellschaft is accusative as the direct object; feminine die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir vertrauen der Fluggesellschaft.
We trust the airline.
vertrauen means to trust. Der Fluggesellschaft is dative because vertrauen takes a dative object; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Die Website der Fluggesellschaft ist übersichtlich.
The airline’s website is clear and easy to use.
die Website is the website, and übersichtlich means clear and easy to navigate. Der Fluggesellschaft is genitive and shows possession; the feminine noun itself does not change its ending.
Die Fluggesellschaften senken ihre Preise.
The airlines are lowering their prices.
senken means to lower, and ihre Preise means their prices. Die Fluggesellschaften is plural nominative as the subject, while ihre Preise is accusative as the object.
die Fluglinie — airline, air route
Fluglinie can mean the airline operating a service or the route itself. For a company, Fluggesellschaft and Airline are often more precise.
Die Fluglinie fliegt jeden Tag nach Rom.
The airline flies to Rome every day.
jeden Tag means every day, and nach Rom means to Rome. Die Fluglinie is nominative as the subject; nach is used with cities and has no article here.
Ich wähle die Fluglinie wegen des Preises.
I choose the airline because of the price.
wählen means to choose, and wegen des Preises means because of the price. Die Fluglinie is accusative as the direct object; wegen traditionally takes the genitive, shown by des Preises.
Wir vertrauen der Fluglinie.
We trust the airline.
vertrauen means to trust. Der Fluglinie is dative because vertrauen takes a dative object; feminine der can be confused with the masculine nominative article.
Die Angebote der Fluglinie sind günstig.
The airline’s offers are cheap.
die Angebote are the offers, and günstig means cheap or good value. Der Fluglinie is genitive and shows possession; the feminine noun itself does not change its ending.
Die Fluglinien verbinden viele Städte.
The airlines connect many cities.
verbinden means to connect, and viele Städte means many cities. Die Fluglinien is plural nominative as the subject; viele Städte is accusative as the object.
der Gebrauchtwagen — used car
der Gebrauchtwagen is a compound made from gebraucht (used) and der Wagen (car). Its plural is unusual only in that it has no ending: die Gebrauchtwagen.
Der Gebrauchtwagen ist noch in gutem Zustand.
The used car is still in good condition.
noch means still, and in gutem Zustand means in good condition. der Gebrauchtwagen is the nominative subject; in takes the dative here because this describes a location or state, and ist stands in position two.
Wir prüfen den Gebrauchtwagen sorgfältig.
We are checking the used car carefully.
prüfen means to check, and sorgfältig means carefully. den Gebrauchtwagen is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object; the finite verb prüfen is in position two.
Ich vertraue dem Gebrauchtwagen nicht.
I do not trust the used car.
vertrauen means to trust, and nicht means not. dem Gebrauchtwagen is dative because vertrauen governs the dative; the negative word nicht comes after the object here.
Der Motor des Gebrauchtwagens klingt ruhig.
The used car's engine sounds quiet.
der Motor means the engine, and klingt ruhig means sounds quiet. des Gebrauchtwagens is genitive to show whose engine it is; the masculine noun has -s and the article is des.
Viele Gebrauchtwagen stehen vor dem Händler.
Many used cars are standing in front of the dealer's premises.
viele means many, stehen means are standing, and der Händler is the dealer. Viele Gebrauchtwagen is a plural nominative subject; vor dem Händler uses dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung — speed limit
This compound combines die Geschwindigkeit, speed, with die Begrenzung, limit. It normally refers to an official road rule, not simply to a driver’s chosen speed.
Die Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung auf dieser Straße beträgt 50 Kilometer pro Stunde.
The speed limit on this road is 50 kilometres per hour.
diese Straße means this road and beträgt means is or amounts to. Die Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung is nominative as the subject; auf dieser Straße is dative because auf describes a location, and the finite verb beträgt is in position two.
Die Polizei kontrolliert die Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung.
The police check compliance with the speed limit.
die Polizei means the police and kontrolliert means checks or monitors. Die Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung is accusative because kontrollieren takes a direct object; the finite verb kontrolliert is in position two.
Nach der Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung fährt man vorsichtiger.
After the speed limit, people drive more carefully.
nach means after, fährt means drives, and vorsichtiger means more carefully. Nach takes the dative, so der Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung is dative; the impersonal subject man follows the finite verb because the prepositional phrase is first.
Die Einhaltung der Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung wird regelmäßig überprüft.
Compliance with the speed limit is checked regularly.
die Einhaltung means compliance, regelmäßig means regularly, and überprüft means checked. Der Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung is genitive because it specifies what is being obeyed; wird is the finite passive auxiliary in position two and überprüft goes to the end.
Neue Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzungen gelten ab Montag.
New speed limits apply from Monday.
neu means new, gelten means apply, and ab Montag means from Monday. Neue Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzungen is plural nominative as the subject, and the finite verb gelten is in position two.
Die Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung schützt alle Verkehrsteilnehmer.
The speed limit protects all road users.
schützt means protects and alle Verkehrsteilnehmer means all road users. Die Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung is nominative as the subject, while alle Verkehrsteilnehmer is accusative as the object of schützen.
die Höchstgeschwindigkeit — maximum speed, speed limit
This compound combines höchst-, meaning highest or greatest, with Geschwindigkeit, meaning speed. In traffic contexts, it usually means the legally permitted speed limit.
Die Höchstgeschwindigkeit auf dieser Straße beträgt 100 Kilometer pro Stunde.
The maximum speed on this road is 100 kilometres per hour.
auf dieser Straße means on this road, and beträgt means is or amounts to. Die Höchstgeschwindigkeit is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beträgt stands in position two.
Ich kenne die Höchstgeschwindigkeit hier nicht.
I do not know the maximum speed here.
ich kenne means I know, and hier means here. Die Höchstgeschwindigkeit is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; the finite verb kenne is in position two.
Bei Regen muss man der Höchstgeschwindigkeit besondere Aufmerksamkeit schenken.
In the rain, you have to pay particular attention to the maximum speed.
bei Regen means in the rain, and besondere Aufmerksamkeit schenken means pay particular attention. Der Höchstgeschwindigkeit is dative because the expression Aufmerksamkeit schenken gives the thing receiving attention the dative; with muss, the infinitive schenken goes to the end.
Die Überschreitung der Höchstgeschwindigkeit kostet viel Geld.
Exceeding the maximum speed costs a lot of money.
die Überschreitung means exceeding, and kostet viel Geld means costs a lot of money. Der Höchstgeschwindigkeit is genitive because it specifies what is exceeded; the finite verb kostet is in position two.
Auf den Autobahnen gelten unterschiedliche Höchstgeschwindigkeiten.
Different maximum speeds apply on the motorways.
auf den Autobahnen means on the motorways, and unterschiedliche means different. Höchstgeschwindigkeiten is nominative plural because it is the subject; gelten means apply and stands in position two.
das Mountainbike — mountain bike
A Mountainbike is made for uneven ground, steep paths, and trails rather than ordinary roads. The word is an English loanword, so its plural is formed with -s.
Das Mountainbike ist sehr stabil.
The mountain bike is very sturdy.
stabil means sturdy or stable, and sehr means very. Das Mountainbike is nominative because it is the subject, and the adjective stabil comes after ist without an ending.
Ich nehme das Mountainbike in den Urlaub.
I am taking the mountain bike on holiday.
nehme means take, and in den Urlaub means on holiday. das Mountainbike is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; in den Urlaub is accusative because it expresses direction.
Wir fahren mit dem Mountainbike durch den Wald.
We ride the mountain bike through the forest.
durch den Wald means through the forest, and Wald means forest. dem Mountainbike is dative after mit, while den Wald is accusative after durch.
Die Reifen des Mountainbikes sind breit.
The mountain bike’s tyres are wide.
Reifen means tyres, and breit means wide. des Mountainbikes is genitive because it shows which bike the tyres belong to; this borrowed neuter noun adds -s.
Im Geschäft stehen viele Mountainbikes.
There are many mountain bikes in the shop.
Im Geschäft means in the shop, and viele means many. Mountainbikes forms the plural with -s, which is common for borrowed nouns ending in an unstressed vowel sound.
der Oldtimer — vintage car, classic vehicle
In German, Oldtimer normally means a classic or vintage vehicle, not an elderly person. The plural is also Oldtimer, with no ending.
Der Oldtimer steht in der Garage.
The vintage car is in the garage.
steht means is standing or is parked, and die Garage means the garage. Der Oldtimer is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Mein Vater restauriert den Oldtimer.
My father is restoring the vintage car.
Mein Vater means my father, and restauriert means restores or is restoring. Den Oldtimer is accusative because restaurieren takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir fahren mit dem Oldtimer zum Treffen.
We are driving the vintage car to the meeting.
Wir fahren means we are driving, mit means with or by, and das Treffen means the meeting. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Oldtimer is dative; zum Treffen means to the meeting.
Die Farbe des Oldtimers gefällt mir.
I like the vintage car’s colour.
Die Farbe means the colour, and gefällt mir means pleases me or I like it. Des Oldtimers is genitive because it shows which car the colour belongs to; mir is dative with gefallen.
Auf der Ausstellung stehen viele Oldtimer.
Many vintage cars are on display at the exhibition.
Die Ausstellung means the exhibition, and stehen means are standing or are on display. Viele Oldtimer is plural, with no ending on Oldtimer; auf der Ausstellung is dative because it describes a location.
der Pilotenstreik — pilots' strike, pilot strike
This compound combines Pilot with Streik and refers to industrial action by pilots. In the plural, the final part changes to Streiks; do not treat the internal Piloten as the plural ending of the whole compound.
Der Pilotenstreik beginnt am Montag.
The pilots' strike begins on Monday.
beginnt means begins, and am Montag means on Monday. Der Pilotenstreik is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Die Airline verschiebt wegen des Pilotenstreiks viele Flüge.
Because of the pilots' strike, the airline is postponing many flights.
die Airline means the airline, verschiebt means postpones, and viele Flüge means many flights. Viele Flüge is accusative because verschieben takes a direct object, while wegen des Pilotenstreiks uses the genitive after wegen.
Die Reisenden leiden unter dem Pilotenstreik.
The travellers are suffering because of the pilots' strike.
die Reisenden are the travellers, and leiden means suffer. Unter takes the dative here because it describes a cause or condition, so dem Pilotenstreik is dative.
Die Folgen des Pilotenstreiks sind noch unklar.
The consequences of the pilots' strike are still unclear.
die Folgen means the consequences, and unklar means unclear. Des Pilotenstreiks is genitive because it identifies which consequences are meant; the regular masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
In Deutschland gab es schon mehrere Pilotenstreiks.
There have already been several pilots' strikes in Germany.
in Deutschland means in Germany, gab es means there were, and mehrere means several. Mehrere Pilotenstreiks is plural, and the compound forms its plural with -e on the final part Streik.
die Regionalbahn — regional train
A Regionalbahn is local or regional rail transport, usually slower and less expensive than an express train. The compound combines regional (regional) with Bahn (railway or train).
Die Regionalbahn fährt um sieben Uhr ab.
The regional train leaves at seven o'clock.
fährt ab means leaves or departs, and um sieben Uhr means at seven o'clock. Die Regionalbahn is nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb abfahren splits, with fährt in position two and ab at the end.
Ich nehme die Regionalbahn nach Bonn.
I am taking the regional train to Bonn.
nehme means take, and nach Bonn means to Bonn. Die Regionalbahn is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the feminine article is die in both nominative and accusative.
Wir fahren mit der Regionalbahn nach Mainz.
We are travelling to Mainz by regional train.
fahren means travel or go by vehicle, and nach Mainz means to Mainz. Mit always takes the dative, so der Regionalbahn is dative; nach marks the destination and takes no article here.
Die Verspätung der Regionalbahn beträgt zehn Minuten.
The regional train's delay is ten minutes.
die Verspätung means the delay, and beträgt means amounts to or is. Der Regionalbahn is genitive because it shows which train has the delay; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Regionalbahnen sind heute besonders voll.
The regional trains are especially crowded today.
besonders voll means especially crowded, and heute means today. Regionalbahnen is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending -en is added to Regionalbahn.
die Rücksendung — return shipment, return
Rücksendung is used when goods are sent back to a seller, usually after an online purchase. The related verb is zurücksenden, meaning to send back.
Die Rücksendung ist kostenlos.
The return is free.
kostenlos means free of charge. Die Rücksendung is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich schicke die Rücksendung heute ab.
I am sending the return today.
heute means today, and abschicken means to send off. Die Rücksendung is accusative because abschicken takes a direct object; the separable verb appears as schicke ... ab in a main clause.
Der Händler hilft mir bei der Rücksendung.
The retailer helps me with the return.
der Händler means the retailer, hilft means helps, and bei means with or during. Der Rücksendung is dative because bei always takes the dative; hilft is in position two.
Die Kosten der Rücksendung trägt der Kunde.
The customer bears the cost of the return.
die Kosten means the costs, trägt means bears or pays, and der Kunde means the customer. Der Rücksendung is genitive after die Kosten to show which costs; the subject comes after the verb because another phrase occupies position one.
Wir bearbeiten alle Rücksendungen schnell.
We process all returns quickly.
alle means all, bearbeiten means process, and schnell means quickly. Rücksendungen is plural and accusative because bearbeiten takes a direct object; its plural ending is -en.
schalten — to switch, to operate; to change gear; to change gear, to shift
For switching a device, schalten commonly takes an accusative object, as in das Licht schalten. With gears, it is often used with in plus accusative for a change of gear, as in in den dritten Gang schalten.
Ich schalte das Licht ein.
I switch on the light.
das Licht means the light, and ein adds the meaning on. Schalte is in position two, while the separable prefix ein goes to the end; das Licht is accusative because it is the object.
Ich habe das Licht geschaltet.
I switched the light.
habe means have and das Licht means the light. The Partizip II geschaltet goes to the end and pairs with haben; das Licht is accusative.
Früher schaltete er die Maschine von Hand.
In the past, he operated the machine by hand.
Früher means in the past, Maschine is machine, and von Hand means by hand. The weak-verb preterite schaltete stands in position two, and die Maschine is accusative.
Schalte bitte das Radio ein.
Please switch on the radio.
bitte means please, and das Radio is the radio. The imperative Schalte starts the sentence, while the separable prefix ein goes to the end; das Radio is accusative.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, schaltete ich die Anlage selbst.
If I had more time, I would operate the system myself.
Wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, Anlage is system, and selbst means myself. In this hypothetical sentence, schaltete is the Konjunktiv II form; die Anlage is accusative.
Morgen schalte ich die Heizung aus.
Tomorrow I will switch off the heating.
Morgen means tomorrow, Heizung means heating, and aus adds the meaning off. The auxiliary werde is understood in this present-tense future use; schalte is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Bei der Kurve schaltet er in den zweiten Gang.
At the bend, he changes into second gear.
Bei der Kurve means at the bend, zweiten means second, and Gang means gear. Schaltet is in position two; in den zweiten Gang is accusative because in expresses a change into a different gear.
Sie schaltet schnell hoch.
She shifts up quickly.
schnell means quickly and hoch means up. Schaltet is the finite verb in position two, while hoch stands after it as the direction of the gear change.
der Schienenersatzverkehr — rail-replacement service
This long compound means Schienen plus Ersatz plus Verkehr: transport replacing rail service. It is normally a singular mass noun with no plural, and it often refers to replacement buses.
Der Schienenersatzverkehr fährt ab acht Uhr.
The rail-replacement service runs from eight o’clock.
fährt means runs or travels, and ab acht Uhr means from eight o’clock. Der Schienenersatzverkehr is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb fährt stands in position two.
Die Bahn organisiert den Schienenersatzverkehr.
The railway company organises the replacement service.
die Bahn means the railway company or rail service, and organisiert means organises. Den Schienenersatzverkehr is accusative because it is the direct object of organisieren; the finite verb is in position two.
Wir fahren mit dem Schienenersatzverkehr.
We are travelling by the rail-replacement service.
wir fahren means we are travelling, and mit means by or with. Mit always takes the dative, so the masculine article is dem in dem Schienenersatzverkehr.
Die Kosten des Schienenersatzverkehrs übernimmt die Bahn.
The railway company covers the costs of the replacement service.
die Kosten means the costs, and übernimmt means takes over or covers. Des Schienenersatzverkehrs is genitive and means “of the replacement service”; the finite verb übernimmt is in position two.
Heute gibt es Schienenersatzverkehr.
Today there is a rail-replacement service.
heute means today, and gibt es means there is. Schienenersatzverkehr is used without an article here as a mass noun; after es gibt, the service is grammatically an accusative object, although the uncountable noun has no visible ending.
schwarzfahren — to ride public transport without a ticket
schwarzfahren is a separable strong verb built from schwarz and fahren. In the perfect it takes sein: ist schwarzgefahren; it is often used in informal speech and can also be written as schwarz fahren in some contexts.
Viele Leute fahren in der Stadt schwarz.
Many people ride public transport without a ticket in the city.
viele Leute means many people, and in der Stadt means in the city. The finite part fahren is in position two and schwarz goes to the end because this is a separable verb in a main clause.
Er ist gestern schwarzgefahren.
He rode without a ticket yesterday.
gestern means yesterday. schwarzgefahren is the Partizip II and takes ist, not hat, because fahren expresses movement; the participle stands at the end.
Der Mann fuhr jahrelang schwarz.
The man rode without a ticket for years.
der Mann means the man, and jahrelang means for years. fuhr is the strong past form of fahren, while schwarz separates and goes to the end of the main clause.
Fahr nicht schwarz!
Don't ride without a ticket!
nicht means not. In the informal singular imperative, fahr comes first and the separated part schwarz goes to the end; nicht comes before that final part.
Ich würde nie schwarzfahren.
I would never ride without a ticket.
nie means never. würde introduces the conditional, so the complete infinitive schwarzfahren stays together at the end instead of separating.
Er wird morgen nicht schwarzfahren.
He will not ride without a ticket tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and nicht means not. In the future, wird is the finite verb in position two and the complete infinitive schwarzfahren goes to the end.
der Speisewagen — dining car, restaurant car
Speisewagen is a compound of Speise, food, and Wagen, carriage or car. Its plural is also Speisewagen, so the article or a number shows whether it is singular or plural.
Der Speisewagen ist am Ende des Zuges.
The dining car is at the end of the train.
am Ende means at the end, and der Zug means the train. Der Speisewagen is nominative because it is the subject; des Zuges is genitive after das Ende to show the end of what, and ist stands in position two.
Wir suchen den Speisewagen.
We are looking for the dining car.
wir suchen means we are looking for. den Speisewagen is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gehe mit dem Speisewagen?
Am I going with the dining car?
This is an unusual humorous sentence: ich gehe means I go, and mit means with. dem Speisewagen is dative because mit always requires dative; normally a person would go zum Speisewagen, meaning to the dining car.
Die Tür des Speisewagens ist offen.
The door of the dining car is open.
die Tür means the door, and offen means open. des Speisewagens is genitive to show whose door it is; the whole phrase Die Tür des Speisewagens is the nominative subject.
In modernen Zügen gibt es mehrere Speisewagen.
There are several dining cars on modern trains.
moderne Züge means modern trains, and mehrere means several. Speisewagen is plural but has no plural ending; after es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative, although the plural form looks identical to the singular.
der Sportwagen — sports car
A Sportwagen is a car built for speed and sporty performance. The plural is also Sportwagen, so the article or context shows the number.
Der Sportwagen steht vor dem Hotel.
The sports car is parked in front of the hotel.
steht means is standing or parked, vor means in front of, and das Hotel is the hotel. Der Sportwagen is nominative because it is the subject; vor dem Hotel describes a fixed location.
Sie mietet den Sportwagen für das Wochenende.
She rents the sports car for the weekend.
mietet means rents, and das Wochenende means the weekend. Den Sportwagen is accusative because mieten takes a direct object; für always takes the accusative.
Er fährt mit dem Sportwagen zur Arbeit.
He drives to work in the sports car.
fährt means drives, mit means with or in, and zur Arbeit means to work. Dem Sportwagen is dative because mit always governs the dative; zur is short for zu der.
Die Farbe des Sportwagens gefällt mir nicht.
I do not like the colour of the sports car.
die Farbe means the colour, and gefällt mir nicht means I do not like it. Des Sportwagens is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; mir is dative because gefallen expresses what is pleasing to someone.
Auf der Messe stehen viele Sportwagen.
Many sports cars are on display at the fair.
die Messe is the fair or trade show, and viele means many. Sportwagen is plural but looks like the singular; auf der Messe is dative because it describes a fixed location.
der Stau — traffic jam, traffic queue; blockage, buildup
der Stau is most often used for road traffic, especially with im Stau stehen. The plural is Staus, and the genitive singular is also written Staus, but the article and context show the difference.
Der Stau beginnt schon an der Ausfahrt.
The traffic jam already starts at the exit.
beginnen means begin, schon means already, and die Ausfahrt means the exit. Der Stau is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir sehen den Stau zu spät.
We see the traffic jam too late.
sehen means see and zu spät means too late. den Stau is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen is in position two.
Wegen des Staus komme ich später.
Because of the traffic jam, I will arrive later.
wegen means because of, kommen means arrive or come, and später means later. des Staus is genitive because wegen normally takes the genitive; the finite verb komme stands in position two after the opening phrase.
Die Länge des Staus ist unglaublich.
The length of the traffic jam is unbelievable.
die Länge means the length and unglaublich means unbelievable. des Staus is genitive because it specifies the length of what; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Heute gibt es viele Staus.
There are many traffic jams today.
heute means today, viele means many, and es gibt means there are. After es gibt, the plural noun is accusative, but its form is the same as nominative: viele Staus.
Ein Stau im Abfluss verursacht unangenehme Gerüche.
A blockage in the drain causes unpleasant smells.
der Abfluss means the drain, verursachen means cause, and unangenehme Gerüche means unpleasant smells. Ein Stau im Abfluss is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb verursacht stands in position two.
Der Arzt spricht von einem Stau der Gallenflüssigkeit.
The doctor is talking about a buildup of bile.
der Arzt means the doctor, sprechen von means talk about, and die Gallenflüssigkeit means bile. von takes the dative, so einem Stau is dative; der Gallenflüssigkeit is genitive and specifies what has built up.
das Steuerrad — steering wheel; ship's wheel
Steuerrad is used especially for the large wheel that steers a ship or boat; for an ordinary modern car, Lenkrad is more common. Its plural has an umlaut: Steuerräder.
Das Steuerrad ist sehr groß.
The steering wheel is very large.
sehr groß means very large. Das Steuerrad is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Kapitän hält das Steuerrad fest.
The captain holds the wheel firmly.
der Kapitän is the captain, and fest means firmly or tightly. Das Steuerrad is accusative because it is the direct object of hält; the neuter article stays das in both nominative and accusative.
Der Matrose steht neben dem Steuerrad.
The sailor is standing next to the wheel.
der Matrose is the sailor, and neben means next to. dem Steuerrad is dative because neben describes a fixed location here; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Mitte des Steuerrades ist aus Metall.
The centre of the steering wheel is made of metal.
die Mitte means the centre, and aus Metall means made of metal. des Steuerrades is genitive because it identifies whose centre it is; the neuter article das changes to des in the genitive.
Die Steuerräder der alten Schiffe sind aus Holz.
The steering wheels of the old ships are made of wood.
alte Schiffe means old ships, and aus Holz means made of wood. Die Steuerräder is the plural subject; der alten Schiffe is genitive because it means of the old ships.
die Tram — tram, streetcar
Tram is common in Switzerland and southern Germany; Straßenbahn is also widely used. The plural is normally Trams, with -s.
Die Tram kommt in fünf Minuten.
The tram is coming in five minutes.
kommt means is coming and in fünf Minuten means in five minutes. Die Tram is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Ich nehme die Tram zur Arbeit.
I take the tram to work.
nehmen means take and zur Arbeit means to work. die Tram is accusative because nehmen takes an accusative object; zur is short for zu der, and zu takes the dative.
Wir fahren mit der Tram zum Bahnhof.
We travel by tram to the station.
mit means by or with, and der Bahnhof is the station. mit der Tram is dative because mit always takes the dative; zum Bahnhof means to the station and also contains dative zu.
Die Türen der Tram schließen automatisch.
The tram’s doors close automatically.
die Türen are the doors and automatisch means automatically. der Tram is genitive because it shows which vehicle the doors belong to; the feminine noun itself has no genitive ending.
In der Stadt fahren viele Trams.
Many trams run in the city.
die Stadt is the city and viele means many. viele Trams is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the initial phrase In der Stadt is a fixed-location dative phrase.
der Transport — transport, transportation; shipment; shipment, consignment
Transport can mean the general movement of people or goods, or a particular shipment. In everyday speech, Verkehr is often used for the transport system or traffic, while Transport focuses more on moving something.
Der Transport der Waren dauert zwei Tage.
The transport of the goods takes two days.
die Waren are the goods and dauert zwei Tage means takes two days. Der Transport is nominative because it is the subject, while der Waren is genitive because it identifies what is being transported.
Die Firma organisiert den Transport der Möbel.
The company organises the transport of the furniture.
die Firma is the company and die Möbel are the furniture. den Transport is accusative because organisieren takes an accusative object; der Möbel is genitive and means of the furniture.
Wir helfen beim Transport der Kisten.
We help with transporting the boxes.
helfen means help and die Kisten are the boxes. beim Transport is dative because bei dem is shortened to beim; der Kisten is genitive, meaning of the boxes.
Die Kosten des Transports sind sehr hoch.
The costs of the transport are very high.
die Kosten are the costs and sehr hoch means very high. des Transports is genitive because it specifies which costs are meant; the masculine noun takes -s in the genitive.
Die Transporte kommen heute an.
The shipments arrive today.
heute means today and ankommen means arrive. die Transporte is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb splits into kommen ... an in the main clause.
Der Transport mit den Tieren ist angekommen.
The shipment with the animals has arrived.
mit den Tieren means with the animals, and ist angekommen means has arrived. Der Transport is nominative as the subject; the perfect uses ist with movement, and angekommen stands at the end.
Der Fahrer wartet auf den nächsten Transport.
The driver is waiting for the next shipment.
der Fahrer is the driver, wartet means is waiting, and nächsten means next. auf den Transport is accusative because warten auf always takes auf with the accusative; the finite verb wartet is in position two.
transportieren — to transport, to carry
transportieren is a regular weak verb and normally takes an accusative object, for example Waren transportieren. Its perfect uses haben, and verbs ending in -ieren form the Partizip II without ge-.
Die Firma transportiert Waren nach Italien.
The company transports goods to Italy.
die Firma means company, Waren means goods, and nach Italien means to Italy. Waren is accusative because transportieren takes a direct object, while the finite verb transportiert stands in position two.
Die Firma hat die Möbel nach Berlin transportiert.
The company transported the furniture to Berlin.
die Möbel means furniture and nach Berlin means to Berlin. The perfect uses hat with transportiert because this verb takes haben; the auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Der Betrieb transportierte die Pakete früher mit Pferden.
The business used to transport the parcels by horse in the past.
der Betrieb means business, Pakete means parcels, früher means in the past, and mit Pferden means by horse. Pakete is accusative as the direct object, and the weak-verb past form transportierte stands in position two.
Transportier die Kisten vorsichtig!
Transport the crates carefully!
die Kisten means the crates and vorsichtig means carefully. The imperative addresses du, which is omitted; die Kisten is accusative because it is the object of the command.
Ich transportierte die Geräte selbst, wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte.
I would transport the equipment myself if I had more time.
die Geräte means the equipment, selbst means myself, and mehr Zeit means more time. Here transportierte is also the Konjunktiv II form, expressing an unreal condition; the verb goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Wir werden die Waren morgen transportieren.
We will transport the goods tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow and die Waren means the goods. Future tense uses werden in position two and the infinitive transportieren at the end; the goods are accusative because they are transported.
die Unfallgefahr — risk of an accident, accident risk
die Unfallgefahr is a compound of der Unfall (accident) and die Gefahr (danger). It is often used with bestehen, erhöhen or vermeiden when discussing road or workplace safety.
Die Unfallgefahr ist im Winter besonders hoch.
The risk of accidents is particularly high in winter.
im Winter means in winter and besonders hoch means particularly high. Die Unfallgefahr is nominative because it is the subject; im is short for in dem, and hoch is predicative after ist.
Schnee erhöht die Unfallgefahr.
Snow increases the risk of accidents.
Schnee means snow and erhöht means increases. die Unfallgefahr is accusative because it is the direct object of erhöhen; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Bei schlechter Sicht muss man der Unfallgefahr entgegenwirken.
In poor visibility, people must counter the risk of accidents.
bei schlechter Sicht means in poor visibility and entgegenwirken means counter or combat. der Unfallgefahr is dative because entgegenwirken governs the dative; with muss, the infinitive goes to the end.
Die Ursachen der Unfallgefahr sind bekannt.
The causes of the risk of accidents are known.
die Ursachen means the causes and bekannt means known. der Unfallgefahr is genitive after Ursachen; because the noun is feminine, its form does not change, but the article der signals the genitive.
Auf dieser Strecke gibt es mehrere Unfallgefahren.
There are several accident risks on this route.
auf dieser Strecke means on this route and mehrere means several. Unfallgefahren is the plural after mehrere; in es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural article is still die.
der Versand — shipping, dispatch, postage
Versand is usually a mass noun, so it normally has no plural in everyday use. It is common in online shopping, especially in kostenloser Versand and Versandkosten; the latter means shipping costs.
Der Versand ist kostenlos.
Shipping is free.
kostenlos means free of charge. Der Versand is nominative because it is the subject, and ist links it to the predicative adjective kostenlos.
Wir bezahlen den Versand.
We pay for the shipping.
wir means we and bezahlen means pay. den Versand is accusative because bezahlen takes the thing being paid for as its direct object; the finite verb bezahlen stands in position two.
Bei diesem Händler ist der Versand schnell.
With this retailer, shipping is fast.
bei diesem Händler means with this retailer, and schnell means fast. diesem Händler is dative because bei always governs the dative; der Versand is the nominative subject of ist.
Die Kosten des Versands sind gestiegen.
The shipping costs have risen.
die Kosten means the costs and sind gestiegen means have risen. des Versands is genitive because it specifies which costs are meant; the plural subject die Kosten takes sind.
die Vollkaskoversicherung — comprehensive vehicle insurance
Vollkasko covers damage to the insured person's own vehicle, unlike basic third-party cover. It is a compound feminine noun, so its plural is Vollkaskoversicherungen.
Eine Vollkaskoversicherung schützt das eigene Auto.
Comprehensive insurance protects your own car.
schützt means protects and das eigene Auto means your own car. Eine Vollkaskoversicherung is the nominative subject, and the finite verb schützt stands in position two.
Viele Fahrer wählen eine Vollkaskoversicherung.
Many drivers choose comprehensive insurance.
viele Fahrer means many drivers and wählen means choose. eine Vollkaskoversicherung is accusative because wählen takes the chosen insurance as its object.
Mit einer Vollkaskoversicherung fährt man oft entspannter.
With comprehensive insurance, people often drive more relaxed.
mit means with and entspannter means more relaxed. Mit always takes the dative, so einer Vollkaskoversicherung is dative; the verb fährt is in position two.
Die Bedingungen der Vollkaskoversicherung sind wichtig.
The conditions of the comprehensive insurance are important.
die Bedingungen means the conditions and wichtig means important. der Vollkaskoversicherung is genitive because it specifies which insurance's conditions; the plural subject die Bedingungen controls sind.
Die Vollkaskoversicherungen unterscheiden sich deutlich.
The comprehensive insurance policies differ considerably.
unterscheiden sich means differ from one another, and deutlich means clearly or considerably. Die Vollkaskoversicherungen is the plural subject, and the reflexive verb keeps sich after the finite verb.
die Windschutzscheibe — windshield, windscreen
The compound combines der Wind (wind), der Schutz (protection), and die Scheibe (pane or window). As a feminine noun, it has the same form in the nominative and accusative singular.
Die Windschutzscheibe ist sauber.
The windshield is clean.
sauber means clean. Die Windschutzscheibe is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich putze die Windschutzscheibe.
I am cleaning the windshield.
putzen means to clean. Die Windschutzscheibe is accusative because putzen takes a direct object, while the finite verb putze is in position two.
Wir sehen durch die Windschutzscheibe.
We look through the windshield.
sehen means to look or see, and durch means through. The phrase durch die Windschutzscheibe is grammatically accusative, even though this example fills the dative slot in the noun matrix; durch always takes the accusative.
Die Dichtung der Windschutzscheibe ist kaputt.
The windshield seal is broken.
die Dichtung is the seal and kaputt means broken. der Windschutzscheibe is genitive because it identifies which seal is meant; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Moderne Autos haben große Windschutzscheiben.
Modern cars have large windshields.
moderne Autos means modern cars and große means large. Windschutzscheiben is plural, and it is accusative because haben takes a direct object.
das Wrack — wreck, wreckage
The plural is Wracks, not Wräcke. The word can describe a ship, car, or aircraft that has been badly damaged or destroyed.
Das Wrack liegt am Meeresboden.
The wreck lies on the seabed.
liegt means lies, and am Meeresboden means on the seabed. Das Wrack is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Die Taucher sehen das Wrack.
The divers see the wreck.
die Taucher are the divers, and sehen means see. Das Wrack is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the article stays das because neuter nominative and accusative are identical.
Die Taucher nähern sich dem Wrack.
The divers approach the wreck.
die Taucher are the divers, and sich nähern means approach. Dem Wrack is dative because sich nähern requires a dative object; the reflexive pronoun agrees with the plural subject.
Die Lage des Wracks ist unbekannt.
The location of the wreck is unknown.
die Lage means the location, and unbekannt means unknown. Des Wracks is genitive to show which location is meant; the neuter noun takes -s in the genitive.
Im Hafen liegen mehrere Wracks.
Several wrecks are lying in the harbour.
im Hafen means in the harbour, and mehrere means several. Wracks is the plural with -s; im is in dem, and it takes the dative here because the wrecks are in a fixed location.
der Zusammenstoß — collision, crash; clash; clash, confrontation
A Zusammenstoß can be a physical collision between vehicles or people, and it can also describe a clash. The plural has an umlaut: der Zusammenstoß, die Zusammenstöße.
Der Zusammenstoß passierte an einer Kreuzung.
The collision happened at an intersection.
passierte means happened, and eine Kreuzung is an intersection. Der Zusammenstoß is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb passierte is in position two.
Die Polizei untersucht den Zusammenstoß.
The police are investigating the collision.
die Polizei means the police, and untersucht means is investigating. Den Zusammenstoß is accusative because untersuchen takes an accusative object; the finite verb is in position two.
Bei dem Zusammenstoß wurde niemand verletzt.
Nobody was injured in the collision.
bei dem Zusammenstoß means in the collision, and niemand means nobody. Bei always takes the dative, and the passive form wurde verletzt puts the event in the past without naming an agent.
Die Ursache des Zusammenstoßes ist noch unklar.
The cause of the collision is still unclear.
die Ursache means the cause, noch means still, and unklar means unclear. Des Zusammenstoßes is genitive because it identifies what caused the collision, while ist is the finite verb in position two.
Auf der Autobahn gab es mehrere Zusammenstöße.
There were several collisions on the motorway.
die Autobahn is the motorway, mehrere means several, and gab es means there were. Zusammenstöße is plural after mehrere; in the phrase es gab, the thing that existed is grammatically accusative.
Zwischen den beiden Parteien kam es zu einem heftigen Zusammenstoß.
There was a fierce clash between the two parties.
zwischen den beiden Parteien means between the two parties, and heftig means fierce or intense. The fixed phrase es kam zu means there was or it led to, and zu einem Zusammenstoß is dative because zu takes the dative.
Der Streit endete schließlich in einem Zusammenstoß.
The argument eventually ended in a clash.
der Streit means the argument, endete means ended, and schließlich means eventually. In einem Zusammenstoß is dative because it describes the result or location of the event, not movement into it.
überfahren — to run over, to drive over; to overwhelm, to override
For this meaning, überfahren normally describes a vehicle hitting and passing over a person or animal. Do not confuse the separable present form fährt über with the whole infinitive überfahren.
Der Bus fährt beinahe den Hund über.
The bus almost runs over the dog.
der Bus is the bus, beinahe means almost, and der Hund is the dog. The dog is accusative because überfahren takes an accusative object; the separable parts are placed around the middle of the clause.
Der Fahrer hat den Fußgänger überfahren.
The driver ran over the pedestrian.
der Fahrer is the driver, and der Fußgänger is the pedestrian. The perfect uses haben because the verb describes an action on an object, and the Partizip II stands at the end with the accusative object before it.
Das Auto fuhr die Katze über.
The car ran over the cat.
das Auto means the car, and die Katze is the cat. die Katze is accusative because it is the object of überfahren; in the simple past the strong form is fuhr, with über at the end.
Fahr das Hindernis nicht über.
Do not drive over the obstacle.
das Hindernis means the obstacle, and nicht means not. The object is accusative after überfahren; the imperative omits du, while the prefix über stays at the end.
Ich würde den kleinen Zaun nicht überfahren.
I would not drive over the small fence.
der kleine Zaun means the small fence, and nicht means not. The accusative object is den kleinen Zaun; after würde, the infinitive stays together at the end, so the prefix does not separate.
Der Lastwagen wird die Absperrung überfahren.
The lorry will drive over the barrier.
der Lastwagen is the lorry, and die Absperrung is the barrier. The future places wird in position two and the whole infinitive at the end; die Absperrung is accusative as the object.
Der Vorsitzende fuhr die anderen mit seiner Entscheidung über.
The chairperson overrode the others with his decision.
der Vorsitzende is the chairperson, die anderen means the others, and die Entscheidung is the decision. The people affected are accusative, and the separable prefix über goes to the end in the simple past.
Sie fühlte sich von der schnellen Diskussion überfahren.
She felt overwhelmed by the fast discussion.
sich fühlen means to feel, schnell means fast, and die Diskussion is the discussion. sich is an accusative reflexive pronoun, while von der Diskussion names the cause; the Partizip II follows fühlte sich at the end.
überholen — to overtake, to pass
This transport verb takes an accusative object: jemanden oder ein Fahrzeug überholen. Do not confuse it with holen, which means fetch or get; überholen is written as one non-separable verb here.
Der Wagen überholt den Bus.
The car is overtaking the bus.
der Wagen means the car, and den Bus means the bus. den Bus is accusative because überholen takes a direct object, and the finite verb überholt stands in position two.
Der Wagen hat den Bus überholt.
The car has overtaken the bus.
der Wagen means the car, and den Bus means the bus. The perfect uses hat plus überholt; the auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end, while den Bus remains accusative.
Der Wagen überholte den Bus vorsichtig.
The car overtook the bus carefully.
vorsichtig means carefully. den Bus is accusative because it is the vehicle being passed, and the weak-verb preterite überholte occupies position two.
Überhol den Lastwagen nicht!
Do not overtake the lorry!
der Lastwagen means the lorry, and nicht means not. The informal singular imperative is überhol; the object den Lastwagen is accusative, and the negative word comes after the object here.
Ich würde den Lastwagen nicht überholen.
I would not overtake the lorry.
ich würde means I would, and nicht means not. The infinitive überholen goes to the end after würde; den Lastwagen is accusative because it is the direct object.
Der Fahrer wird den Bus bald überholen.
The driver will overtake the bus soon.
der Fahrer means the driver, and bald means soon. Future uses wird in position two and sends the infinitive überholen to the end; den Bus is accusative.